Chair



L. J. ZERBEE June 20, 1939.

CHAIR Filed June 14, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

L. J. ZERBEE CHAIR June 20, 1 939.

Filed June 14, 1937 3 Sheeft.s$heet 2 INVENTOK LOU l S d Z E BEE a A ORNEY June 20, 1939. J, ZERBEE 2,163,078

CHAIR Filed June 14, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ""l'"".""- I VIII A j i INVENTOR LOUIS J. ZERBE E Patented June 20, 1939 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFIJC CHAIR Louis J. Zerbee, Bellefontaine, Ohio Application June14, 1937,, Serial, No. 148,132

Claims. (01. 155-24 This invention relates to a chair and in, par ticular to a chair mounted upon a spring base.

An object. of this invention is to provide. a spring. base wherein the effective length of the 5, spring is automatically. shortened as the weight on the chair increases.

Another object of this invention is to provide a guide for the curved portion of a spring member, wherein the curvature of the guide is less ill than the curvature of the spring, so that as the tension is increased on the spring the effective length of the spring is shortened to thereby decrease the resiliency thereof.

Another object' of this invention is to provide a. chair wherein the rocking movement is limited.

Another object of this invention is to provide a chair wherein parts are made from two types of metal, one superimposed upon the other for the purposes of ornamentation.

Another object of this invention is to provide resiliently mounted rigid uprights for supporting the chair.

Another object of this invention is to provide limits for the rocking-movement of the chair.

Another object of this inventionis to provide a free limited movement for-the chair and toprovide a stop for the movement.

Another object of this invention is to provide a chair that is quickly and easily constructed,

but at the same time is strong, dependable, eflicient and pleasing in appearance.

Other objects and advantages reside in the construction of parts, the combination thereof and the mode of operation, as will become more apparent from the following description.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the chair.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation.

Fig. 3 is another side elevation with the back and arm rests folded.

49 Figs. 4, 5 and 6 show detail enlarged fragmentary views of the operation of the spring that has been designed to automatically change the resiliency thereof as the weight on the chair changes. 45, Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view.

. Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 88 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on theline 9-9 of Fig. 8. 5o Fig. 10 is another fragmentary sectional view. Figs. 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10' have been drawn to a larger scale than that of the other above views. Fig. 11 is another modification disclosing a fragmentary view of a resilient support for the 55.: chair.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken substantially on the section line l2-=-|2 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13' discloses another modification wherein the snubber has been used to provide resil ency.

Fig. 14 is another modification similar to Fig. 13, wherein a pair of'snubbers has been disclosed.

Fig. 15 is another modification disclosing a snubber seated in acavity limiting the expansion of the snubber.

For the sake of clearness, the canvas or fabric 1 upholsteryhas not been shown in Figures 2, 3, i,

5, 6 and 7. In other words, these. modifications have-been shown before the upholstery has been put into position.

Numerous attempts have been made to make 15 chairs utilizing a pair'of spring members for supporting the seat in spaced relation with respect to the base. Such chairs have, found a ready outlet on the market. They. are cheap, they are efficient and quite satisfactory. In at least some of these 20 there are some objections, one of which is the absenoeof any adjustments compensating for different weights. on the chair, that is, the stiffness of the springs remains the same irrespective of. the weight, neglecting, of course, the inherent 5 characteristic of all springs to offer resistance wherein the deflection of the spring varies as the force applied. In the modification disclosed herein the effective length of the spring is automatically shortened as the weight increases, as so will appear more fully later.

Theseat portion ll! of the chair is suported on a pair of spring members l2 mounted upon a base l4. The seat portion Ill includes a pair of frame members It supporting a canvas It, or any 35 other suitable material. The side frame members 16 are held in fixed spaced relation by a reenforcing member 2i) and a tie rod 22.

A back rest including a pair of vertically sloping members 24 is pivotally mounted upon the side frame members I6. A suitable canvas or other. back rest ZBspans the distance between the vertically sloping side members 24. These side members are held in fixed spaced relation by a curved brace 28 and a tie rod 30. Near the base of the side members" 24 is fixedly attached a metallic clasp 32 screwed or riveted to the side members 24. A rod or pintle 36 is passed through the bight of the clasp 32 and engages a U-shapec'l clevis member 38 passing around the side member I6. This provides a pivotal support for the back rest.

The chair is also provided with side arms including-a horizontal member '40 pivotally mounted at 42. to the vertically sloping side member 2 1 and pivotally mounted at 44 .to a suitable bell crank bracket 46 fixedly attached by a pair of screws or rivets 48 to a vertically disposed arm rest supporting member 50 pivotally mounted at 52 to the side frame member IB. This permits orientation or rotation of the back rest forwardly, so as to fold in juxtaposed relation over the seat portion I8 for the purposes of saving space when shipping, moving, storing, handling and the like.

The seat and back portion, as already stated, is mounted upon a pair of spring members I2 fixedly mounted upon a base I4, including a pair of side members held in fixed spaced relation by a pair of rungs 62 and adapted to engage the floor for a considerable distance along the length of the side members I6.

The side members I6 of the seat have been provided with a notch for receiving the upper end 64 of the spring I2. The forward end of the side member I6 has been curved in close proximity to the curvature of the spring I2; but the radius of curvature of the side member IB is less than the radius of curvature of the spring member I2.

The seat portion is suspended and the weight carried by a suitable rivet or bolt "I0 passing through the end of the spring member I2 and the side member I6. This retaining pin has been mounted a very short distance ahead of the point of the center of gravity when the chair is used in a normal manner. This permits the suspension of the weight carried by the side seat member near the center thereof and near the center of gravity. The pin I0 being placed a short distance ahead of the center of gravity causes the side member to fulcrum about this point, so as to have a tendency to raise the forward end I2 of the side member I6 against the forwardly extending portion of the spring I2,

The bottoms of side members 60 have also been provided with notches oppositely disposed with the notches provided in the side members I6. These notches provide a clearance adjacent to the floor for accommodating the rearwardly extending ends of the springs. Again, the notches terminate a short distance ahead of the center of gravity of the weight on the chair. The lower ends of the springs are held in position by a suitable rivet or bolt 80, passing through the rear end of the spring member l2 and through the side member 60, so that the retaining pin 80 functions as a fulcrum having practically half of the side member 60 serving as a lever of the first class engaging the loop or the bend of the spring. The radius of curvature of the side members 60 is less than the radius of curvature of the spring.

This structure causes the effective length of the resilient portion that is utilized to be shortened as the weight on the chair is increased. If the chair is occupied by a light weight person, the effective length of the spring is substantially equal to the distance between the notches, that is, the spring will come in contact with the end I2 at 84 as seen in Fig, 4. If the chair is 00- cupied by a person of medium weight, the spring will close against the end I2, coming in contact at 86 as shown in Fig. 5. If the chair is occupied by a heavy person, the spring will come in con-.

tact with the nose 88 of the end 12, that is, as far as member I6 is concerned.

A similar shifting will take place between the weight person occupies the chair, the effective length will be from the sudden break 86 of member I6 to the corresponding sudden break of member 60. Then the efl'ective length of the spring is somewhat shorter than when the chair is occupied by a light weight person; but not as short as when the chair is occupied by a heavy weight person, when the effective length is the distance between members I6 and 60.

This shifting of the effective length of the spring changes the resiliency or the ease of the chair, For a comparatively light person the spring I 2 is easily flexed. For a heavy person the spring is comparatively rigid-properly so. For a medium weight person the resiliency of the spring is greater than for a heavy weight person and less than for a light weight person. Although three points have been described, or three degrees of resiliency have been discussed by properly selecting the curvature of the spring and of the guide portions, any number of effective variations may be obtained. 7

As the center of gravity of a normal load is substantially along the direction of the arrow A shown in Fig. 2, it can be readily seen that member I6 functions as a lever of the first class fulcrumed at the rivet I0, the extreme end I2 of member I6 being forced up against. the leg of the U-shaped spring member I2. In the event the center of gravity of the load on the chair should be shifted towards the forward edge thereof, there would be a tendency for the seat to rotate in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, that is, there would be a strain on the rivet I0. In order to avoid this, a U-shaped clamping member 90 may be passed around the end I2 of member I6 and the spring, so as to prevent rotation of the seat portion in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2. Instead of a clamp or band being passed around the forward end of 12, a suitable screw, bolt or rivet could be used. However, such an arrangement would have a tendency to Weaken the spring when near the bend, which is objectionable. Therefore, a clamp, or strap, or band is preferable. A similar arrangement could be used in connection with the forward end of member 60 and the lower leg of the U-shaped spring I2,

In the modification disclosed in Fig. 11, instead of a wooden base member as disclosed in Fig. 1, a metal member I00, is provided, which member extends substantially parallel to the floor. Member I00 has near the forward end a downwardly deflected portion I02 terminating in a horizontal portion I04 supported in close proximity to the floor upon a rubber sleeve I06 completely enclosing this portion. The forward end member I00 is bent to form an eye I08.

Instead of a resilient upright member I2, as disclosed in Fig. 1, a channel shaped upright member H0 is used. This member is provided with the flanges II2 giving rigidity to the member IIO. A bar having a T-shaped cross sectional area could be used instead of the channel bar. The lower face of member IIO, as disclosed inFig. 12,. is provided with a depression in which is mounted a strip of chromium plated metal II4, for the purposes of ornamentation. It can be readily seen that if member II 0 is painted a suitable contrasting color, as for example black, the chromium plated strip II4 will greatly enhance the appearance of the chair.

The rearward end of member III) is nested under a bracket I I6, having a pair of downwardly projecting ears I20. The rear ends of member I I and of the bracket I I6 are held in fixed relation by a suitable rivet II 8. A pin I22 passes through suitable apertures in the ears I20 and the eye formed by the end I08 of member I00. Thus, it is seen that the ears I20 of bracket IIB cooperate with the forward end of member I00 to form a hinge or a pivot for member III).

A rubber snubber I24 is mounted underneath the rearward end of member I I0 and seated upon the horizontal portion I04 of member I00. This snubber I23 permits a yielding movement or a cushioning, so that the chair may oscillate or rock about the pivot I22. The rubber sleeve H completely houses the juncture or the joint between members I00 and H0, so that I00 and H0 have the appearance of being a continuous member mounted upon a very heavy snubber, which is merely a casing or a housing for the joint.

In the modification disclosed in Fig. 13, the horizontal member I30 extends along the floor and supports the chair. The forward end of member I30 is enclosed in a metallic rectangular sleeve I32 held in position by suitable screws or rivets I34 and is provided with a loop I30, constituting the forward end of the base.

An upright supporting member I38 has been disclosed as supporting the seat of the chair. This member I38 is pivotally mounted at I 40 to the loop I36. The forward end of member I30 is arranged in spaced relation with respect to the rear edge of member I38. This space between the forward end of member I30 and the rear edge of member I38 supports a snubber I42, limiting the rearward movement of member I38 about the pivot I40. This permits of a rocking movement of the chair supported on member I38. In this connection reference has been made to the chair being supported on a member I38. As a matter of fact, the chair is supported on a pair of these members I38 in spaced relation much the same as the disclosure in Fig. 1, excepting the uprights I38 do not yield per se.

In the modification disclosed in Fig. 14 the upright I38 has been pivoted at I44. The loop I36 extends beyond the forward edge of I38 so as to provide pockets both at the front and the rear of I38 supporting suitable snubbers I42. In this modification the swinging movement of member I38 may be somewhat greater than that disclosed in Fig. 13.

In the modification disclosed in Fig. the upright I38 is arranged in substantially flush relation with respect to the horizontal base member I30. vided with a cavity I50 in which is seated a rubber snubber I52. It is to be noted that a clearance I54 is provided along each edge of the snubber I52. This provides a space for the expansion of the rubber, which space is limited, so that as the upright swings about the pivot I40 rearwardly, the snubber I52 will eventually fill the cavity I50 at which time the rearward movement of the upright I30 is stopped.

Although the preferred modification of the device has been described, it will be understood that within the purview of this invention various changes may be made in the form, details, proportion and arrangement of parts which gen erally stated, consist in a device capable of carrying out the objects set forth, in the novel parts, combination of parts and mode of operation, as disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

The rear edge of member I38 is pro- 1. In a device of the character described a U-shaped leaf spring member, a pair of substantially parallel members contacting each a leg of the U-shaped member and extending towards the bight of the U-shaped member, the ends of the parallel members being curved so as to have a radius of curvature less than the radius of curvature of the U-shaped member and means for securing the ends of the legs of the U-shaped members to the parallel members, so that as the load is applied to the parallel members beyond the ends of the legs of the U-shaped members the curved portion of the parallel members engages the bight of the U so as to decrease the effective length of the resilient portion as the force increases to thereby automatically stiffen the spring member as the load increases.

2. A spring supported chair including a base portion, a seat portion and a U-shaped leaf spring member for holding the seat portion in spaced relation from the base portion, one leg of the U-shaped member being fixedly attached to the base portion, said seat portion including a longitudinal underslung frame member extending into the U-shaped member on the under side of the upper leg, means for fixedly attaching the side member to the end of the upper leg, said means being located a short distance in front of the center of gravity of a normal load applied to the chair so as to cause the longitudinal member to function as a lever of the first class fulcrumed upon said fastening means.

3. A spring supported chair including a base portion, a seat portion and a U-shaped leaf spring, the seat portion including a member hung in underslung relation with respect to the upper leg of the U-shaped member, the lower leg of the U-shaped member being suspended in underslung relation with respect to the base portion to thereby utilize the maximum effective length of the bight of the U-shaped spring member.

4. A spring supported chair including a base portion, a seat portion and a U-shaped leaf spring member for holding the seat portion in spaced relation with respect to the base portion, said seat portion including an arcuate guide extending on the under side of the upper leg of the U-shaped leaf spring member so as to have the arcuate guide portion in engagement with the concave side of the curvature of the U-shaped leaf spring member and the base portion having an arcuate guide portion mounted above the lower leg of said U-shaped leaf spring member, so that the second arcuate guide portion is in engagement with the concave side of the lower curvature of the U-shaped leaf spring member.

for automatically shortening the effective resilient portion of the U-shaped leaf spring member as the weight on the seat increases.

5. A spring supported chair including a base portion and a seat portion, a U-shaped leaf spring, and a pair of arcuate guide means extending along the legs of the U-shaped leaf spring and engaging the concave side of the bight of the U-shaped leaf spring, thearcuate )guide means having the radius of curvatures less than the radius of curvature of the U-shaped leaf spring, said guide means being mounted so that the guide portions are utilized to reduce the effective length of the bight of the U-shaped leaf 7 spring as the weight is increased on the chair.

LOUIS J. ZERBEE. 

